Johnnie B. Bad
| Johnnie B. Bad | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll, R&B, blues | |||
| Label | Elektra/Nonesuch[1] | |||
| Producer | Terry Adams, Keith Richards | |||
| Johnnie Johnson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Johnnie B. Bad is an album by the American pianist Johnnie Johnson, released in 1991.[2][3] The album was part of Elektra Records' American Explorer series, which was dedicated to traditional American musical styles.[4] Johnnie B. Bad was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Blues Album".[5]
Production
[edit]Bernie Worrell, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton were among the many admiring musicians who played on Johnnie B. Bad.[6][7] The majority of the album was produced by Terry Adams; Richards produced two of the album's tracks.[8] "Stepped in What!?" and "Tanqueray" marked the first time that Johnson had sung on record.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Robert Christgau |  [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| Los Angeles Times | [13] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide |  [9] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [7] |
| Vancouver Sun | [14] |
The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Johnson isn't an outstanding singer, but his earthy, relaxed voice suits his playing, and his rich storyteller's voice is delightful on the talking blues 'Stepped in What!?'"[7] Billboard called the album "a funky delight," writing that Johnson is "a soulful master of the 88s."[1] The Courier Journal concluded that "the emotion he invests is as impressive as his technical skills."[15]
The Los Angeles Times opined that, "from blues dirges to rollicking New Orleans R&B, Johnson's ivory tickling remains as lively as it was four decades ago."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Johnson's "jolly piano makes serious connections between the blues, New Orleans R&B, Oscar Peterson flourishes and boogie-woogie."[16] The Austin American-Statesman thought that Johnnie B. Bad "suffers slightly from the sideman syndrome."[17]
AllMusic wrote that Johnson "lays down bluesy licks and laconic vocals that mark him as both a master of the blues and a father of rock & roll."[10]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tanqueray" | 4:51 |
| 2. | "Hush Oh Hush" | 3:19 |
| 3. | "Johnnie B. Bad" | 2:32 |
| 4. | "Creek Mud" | 5:24 |
| 5. | "Fault Line Tremor" | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Stepped in What!?" | 4:08 |
| 7. | "Can You Stand It" | 2:42 |
| 8. | "Key to the Highway" | 3:19 |
| 9. | "Blues #572" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "Baby What's Wrong" | 3:35 |
| 11. | "Cow Cow Blues" | 3:12 |
| 12. | "Movin' Out" | 3:51 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "New & Noteworthy — Johnnie B. Bad by Johnnie Johnson". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 29. Jul 20, 1991. p. 77.
- ^ "Johnnie Johnson Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Ratliff, Ben (April 14, 2005). "Johnnie Johnson, 80, Dies; Inspired 'Johnny B. Goode'". The New York Times.
- ^ "The American Explorer Series". USA Today. 19 July 1991. p. 1D.
- ^ Considine, J.D. (9 Jan 1992). "R.E.M., Grant Tops Grammy Nominees". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1C.
- ^ "Johnnie B. Bad Is Finally Out of the Shadows". Los Angeles Times. January 25, 1992.
- ^ a b c "Elektra Nonesuch American Explorer Series". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Schoemer, Karen (August 2, 1991). "Pop/Jazz; A Diffident Rock Stylist Who's Just Starting at 67". The New York Times.
- ^ a b MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 307.
- ^ a b "Johnnie B. Bad". AllMusic.
- ^ "Johnnie Johnson". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 655.
- ^ a b Lewis, Randy (5 Jan 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
- ^ Mackie, John (14 Sep 1991). "Pop/Rock: America's roots gain a toehold". Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
- ^ Puckett, Jeffrey Lee (6 Jul 1991). "Reviews". Scene. Courier Journal. p. 8.
- ^ Moon, Tom (14 July 1991). "Albums True to the Roots of Rock". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. I1.
- ^ McLeese, Don (18 July 1991). "Home across the range: American Explorer series finds best of U.S. regional music". Austin American-Statesman. p. 19.
